Social Justice Department, NACO sign MoU to enhance outreach on HIV/AIDS

  1. A Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) was signed between the Department of Social Justice and National AIDS Control Organization(NACO),Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
  2. The MoU aims at reducing the incidence of social stigma and discrimination against victims of drug abuse and children and people living with HIV/AIDS.
  3. The agreement will also help in (a)developing specific strategies and action plans for HIV/AIDS prevention (b)mechanisms for drug addiction treatment and (c)extending social protection schemes to the vulnerable population.
  4. India has seen more than 80% decline in estimated new infections from the peak of the epidemic in 1995.Similarly,estimated AIDS-related death has also declined by 71% since its peak in 2005.The Indian government has also set a goal to eliminate HIV/AIDS by 2030.
  5. The National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) was established in 1992.It is a part of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
  6. NACO is the nodal organisation for the formulation of policy and implementation of programs for prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in India.